Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) announces the newly appointed Poet Laureate of Napa County Michael Waterson
NAPA, California, June 4, 2010. Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) announces the newly appointed Poet Laureate of Napa County Michael Waterson, elected by the Napa County Board of Supervisors on May 28th. Waterson succeeds the position of Gary Silva, and will serve a two-year term through 2012.
Waterson's educational background includes a Master of Fine Arts from Mills College, following a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University, both focused in Creative Writing. Professional titles of playwright, reviewer, newspaper editor of The American Canyon Eagle, songwriter, and composer fill his history along with his lifelong development as a poet.
As an ambassador for poetry, the Napa County Poet Laureate is expected to promote citizens' awareness of poetry as well as heighten their appreciation of the art form. The Poet Laureate forges a meaningful connection between poetry and the community, undertaking projects that make poetry more available and more accessible to people in their everyday lives. During the Laureate's two-year appointment, he will officiate at selected public gatherings, initiate a dialogue between poets and the community, inspire others in their writing and personal expression and bring recognition to the history and tradition of poetry in Napa County.
"Language, and the ability to use it creatively and artistically, is possibly the greatest of all gifts given to mankind," says Dr. Alvin Lee Block, Arts & Culture Commissioner representing the City of Napa. "Translating dreams into words is no small task. Our Poet Laureates set a standard for the rest of us. The 'Poet Laureate' position is a great classroom for humanity, and one of the truly great honors we, the public, can bestow."
"Napa has become one of the world's great destinations," says Waterson. "In my view, there is no finer place for imagination to take root. I am honored to share my vision of its beauty with the community."
Applications and nomination guidelines are available on the ACNV website at www.artscouncilnapavalley.org. For more information about Arts Council Napa Valley or the Poet Laureate, please call (707) 257-2117, email kristina[at]artscouncilnv.org.
###
